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Cougars

J0E

By J0E
in Deer Hunting-Bear-Elk-Moose

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jparrucci Experienced

jparrucci

Posted
Posted

Although rare, cougars are here. Again, there has been no attacks on humans in MN as far as I know, and even where they are much more populous out west, there are few attacks. Much more likely to be killed by a dog than a cougar.

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Crm7290 Community Regular

Crm7290

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I found a link that said since 1970 there has been an average of 14 cougar attacks on humans per year. I can live with that statistic. Honestly that isnt a number that warrants much concern. Deer kill more people a year than that

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Abndoc Proficient

Abndoc

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I was walking out the door of a bar in Stillwater last friday, when 2 cougars attacked, one came from behind, one from the front. If not for bravery and quick reaction of a few fellow patrons, I may have been scared for life. Watch out when your leaving the bars late at night, Cougars are on the prowl!

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thatoneguy Veteran

thatoneguy

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I found a link that said since 1970 there has been an average of 14 cougar attacks on humans per year. I can live with that statistic. Honestly that isnt a number that warrants much concern. Deer kill more people a year than that

Deer attack and kill people? Who knew?

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BobT Grand Master

BobT

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Regardless of what anyone believes, I can tell you from first-hand experience there are in fact cougars in Minnesota, or at least there was one tha passed through by my place. I watched it through binoculars sitting on my neighbor's hay field on Good Friday, 2008. At first I wasn't sure what it was until it turned and walked broad side and then I knew. My estimate was that it was about 7 feet long nose to tail tip. Afterward I looked up the characteristics of a cougar and learned that what I saw was exactly what was described. The next day I decided to go pheasant hunting in the WMA that the cat seemed to be heading toward. I found its tracks. They were a little larger than the palm of my hand.

I contacted the DNR and they told me that cougars are rare in MN but they do exist. They asked me where I spotted it and gave me a link to a map where they were marking known sightings. The map had marks all over MN. I wouldn't be too concerned about them as there are not many and they have a very large home range, something like 400 sq.mi. for roaming males if my memory is correct. What that means is if I see one here in Osakis and someone else sees one in Duluth, it could be the same animal.

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BobT Grand Master

BobT

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I don’t know where all this garbage about some kind of cover-up is coming from. The DNR was very up front with me, giving me a map of known sightings, and helping me with information to identify the animal I saw. They never gave me any impression at all that cougars (mountain lions) don’t exist, in fact, quite the opposite.

I also don’t understand the fear mongering garbage I hear too. There are many more cougars out west in much higher populated areas and they don’t have any issues to speak of. We hear about a handful of cougars in MN where our entire state’s population is less than a city out west and we are ready to go on a hunt to eradicate them. Geez what a bunch of pansies.

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SalmonSlayer Community Regular

SalmonSlayer

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It's my understanding that the DNR knows they're here, but doesn't want to publicly admit to a RESIDENT population because once that happens they'll be responsible for managing that population. This means a ridiculous amount of money spent on studies that they just don't think they have the budget or resources for.

I'm of the opinion that they are here, but really don't pose that great of a threat to humans.

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Lunker Veteran

Lunker

Posted
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Yes there are cougars.

As for the DNR, I don't think there is some big cover-up and I don't think they are ignoring because they don't want to study them. There have been studies in MN, WI, and MI, and there has not been evidence of a resident(breeding population).

As for when and if this will occur, I'm sure some will breed eventually(or have) but I doubt we'll see a big population. We are just to far from a big enough established population to see any large number of migrant individuals. And considering many people shoot them if they see them, its not going to aid a fledgling populations growth...

This argument will continue to rage for years but this is my 2 cents and studied this quite a bit as a wildlife student.

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Here-Kitty-Kitty Mentor

Here-Kitty-Kitty

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Two years ago I was fishing the river bottoms in Shakopee. Long story short heard cubs whining went up the bank to see them and momma came out of the woods about 30 feet away. Walked back down to my fishing stop heard momma carry the cubs away. About 15 maybe 20 minutes later she brought them down to the river for a drink maybe 150 yards up river from us. First time I had seen cougars in MN. Growing up in the mountains of california we had them everywhere. They are very misunderstood, they never bothered us. Think I had one dog go missing of the years, and who knows what happened to her. People act like they're going to attack everyone and everything, but thats just bull.

Oh and I do know for a fact that the Federal Fish and Game know about them. As I contacted them about my sighting, and a few days later I ran into John Megan the old local warden. He went down there and confirmed my story.

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Steve Foss Grand Master

Steve Foss

Posted
Posted

Here are some questions answered. Of course, lots of questions still remain. I don't doubt two things: There are cougars now living in the wild and surviving in Minnesota (regardless of their origins), and they have bred here in the wild in recent times.

Numbers? I think it's a lot closer to 10 than 100.

Heeeeeeeeeere's the DNR!

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